Royals slumped 3-0 at the Britannia Stadium last December and Stoke swiftly embarked on a fantastic run of form which has catapulted them up the Nationwide League Division 1 table.

Should they complete a league double over Steve Coppell's men, they would also leapfrog them in the standings.

And Murty, who has shrugged off the knee injury which has sidelined him for two games, is desperate to even the score.

He said: "This is a massive game, not just because of the positions in the table, but for the way we played up there.

"We didn't do ourselves justice. It just wasn't a very good performance and we want to address the manner we played up there.

"I can assure everyone that the lads are desperate to do well. First and foremost we have got to put in a proper performance, then the result will come.

"Stoke have good footballers. They like to play at a high tempo and control the game, but we are at home and it's up to us to match them physically - and we are capable of doing that."

Murty is hoping the return to form of James Harper can swing the balance in Reading's favour.

Royals' midfield playmaker has rediscovered his best form after a disappointing start to the season.

Murty added: "We like to play the ball around, from side to side as well as through the middle with James Harper and Steve Sidwell in there.

"James Harper has always been a top player in my view. A lot comes down to whether he is playing with confidence.

"He's got a run in the team and is looking back to his best. He was our player of the year last season.

"The players know how good he is, as do the fans, and now he's again showing what a top player he is."

Coppell concedes that Royals have virtually no chance of overhauling Norwich City and West Brom for an automatic promotion spot, but he knows a run of form will fire his side into the thick of the play-off pack.

Royals' boss said: "Stoke started their good run when they beat us 3-0. From then on they've gone from strength to strength, with only a couple of hiccups when Gerry Taggart was not available.

"They're a big, physical side that has a little bit of dynamics and good skill in players like Peter Hoekstra.

"With 11 games to go there are still 12 clubs, possibly more capable of making the play-offs if they match Stoke's recent run."

With Murty returning to right back Coppell is likely to push Andy Hughes forward on the right side of midfield with Scott Murray making way.